News

Addressing the audience at the WorldDAB General Assembly held in Brussels earlier this month, the CEOs of the French and Dutch-language public broadcasters - respectively RTBF and VRT - came together to encourage the growth of digital radio.

In 2020, the European Radio and Digital Audio Show expects over 8,000 visitors, 160 exhibitors and more than a hundred conferences, masterclasses and specialised workshops over three days, making it the largest event in the industry in Europe.The three-day event will be held from January 23 to 25 at Paris, France.

As part of the launch of the DAB+ digital radio in French-speaking Belgium at the start of November, RTBF was granted permission to operate MUX 1 and MUX 2, for a total of 24 stations broadcasting on DAB+.

The offer is valid on select receivers from 23 November to 8 December. Visit the Digital Radio Germany website for more information on the receivers going on sale.

Ziggo, the largest cable operator in the Netherlands, has announced it will be switching off its FM radio services. Ziggo will continue to offer radio services digitally, and is expected to do so digitally, including on DAB+, through its cable network.

Scottish publishing company DC Thomson has launched a new DAB radio station in Scotland. Broadcasting from central Glasgow, the new radio station called Pure Radio Scotland is available to approximately 3 million listeners across Central Scotland.

As part of its initiative to help students develop digital skills, the Studio Ecole de France (Studec) will be launching a training course fully focused on the digital professions including DAB+ digital radio. Registrations are open, with courses due to start in January 2020.

SCA has begun an experiment in Adelaide that puts its live local breakfast show on air across each of its DAB+ stations in that city. SCA CEO Grant Blackley said “This is a test of what can be done. We have built reach with our analog and digital strategy, but something was missing", adding that "if this works it will give a high level of personalisation, with different music choices for listeners.”

The DAB+ digital radio landscape in Slovenia continues to diversify, as Radio Aktual launches on DAB+. With 20 public and private broadcasters already on air, the multiplex operated by RTV Slovenija has reached full capacity, with discussions around additional multiplexes now taking place.

Over 8000 people and 160 exhibitors are expected to attend the three day event taking place in Paris at the end of January. DAB+ digital radio will also be taking centre stage at the event, as France prepares to launch its national DAB+ network in 2020.